Otamendi feels rush after late winner gives Blues points

NICOLAS Otamendi said the adrenaline rush of an injurytime winner led to the celebrations which saw Raheem Sterling sent off at the Vitality Stadium.

The England forward picked up his second yellow card for celebrating with the visiting supporters in one corner after his late strike in the 2-1 win.

Blues striker Sergio Aguero was also accused of assaulting a steward in the chaos – but this claim was later withdrawn.

City boss Pep Guardiola was left questioning Mike Dean’s decision to send off the winger, who had also hit a late equaliser in Monday’s draw at home to Everton.

Sterling will now miss the visit of former club Liverpool after the international break, but it was an incident surrounding team-mate Aguero which threatened to truly overshadow the victory.

And Otamendi said: “We felt the adrenaline in the air and sometimes it is difficult to control.

“I don’t think he (Sterling) came out of the pitch, it is more that the fans came to him, but it is difficult to control those situations, the referee made his decision and we have to accept it.”

A Bournemouth steward who claimed to have been assaulted by Aguero withdrew his allegation later on Saturday following an initial statement to Dorset Police.

Aguero denied the allegation and City officials reviewed footage from a number of angles and said there was nothing to support the steward’s claim, which was withdrawn due to a ‘misunderstanding’.

Two City fans were arrested for encroaching on to the pitch as emotions boiled over following the dramatic conclusion to the contest.